The European Parliament is ready to start negotiations with the EU Council to update the EU regulatory framework on detergents and surfactants which could pose risks to health and the environment. The decision was adopted by 76 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions in the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety on Wednesday 4 December.
“This text should therefore be the first step towards the European objective of ‘Zero Pollution’ by 2050, which aims to reduce air, water and soil pollution”, said Majdouline Sbaï MEP (Greens/EFA, French), who has been appointed rapporteur for the Parliament.
The Detergents Regulation must ensure that detergents are used safely so that our health is protected and any impact they could have on the environment is limited. These rules include rules on labelling and the provision of information to national authorities. Noting that the current framework did not take account of new market developments, the European Commission therefore proposed a revision.
The European Parliament is demanding that new limits are applied regarding the phosphate and phosphorus content of specific categories of detergents. This request was introduced by means of a revision clause by the Council of the EU, which adopted its position in June 2024 (see EUROPE 13432/17), inviting the European Commission to assess the need to reduce the phosphorus content of detergents in the future. Requirements concerning biodegradability are also expected in relation to future products.
Negotiations will start in February, announced Majdouline Sbaï on the Bluesky social network. (Original version in French by Florent Servia)